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American Morning

More Charges Stemming From Alleged Brutal Attack in Iraq; A Russian Plane Bursts into Flames on Ground

Aired July 10, 2006 - 08:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: More charges stemming from an alleged brutal attack in Iraq. Five more U.S. soldiers charges in the rape and murder case.
MELISSA LONG, CNN ANCHOR: A Russian plane bursting into flames on the ground. More than 120 people are dead.

O'BRIEN: A crime wave in Phoenix has police there on over drive. They may now be searching for three separate serial criminals.

LONG: A dramatic rescue after a teen is carried away by floodwaters. Those fearless rescuers will join us live in just a little bit.

O'BRIEN: And preparing for the worst -- we'll look at how to safeguard your home against severe storms, all ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

Good morning to you.

I'm Miles O'Brien.

LONG: And good morning.

I'm Melissa Long in today for Soledad, who will be back tomorrow.

O'BRIEN: A new serial crime wave in Phoenix to tell you about this morning. Two people attacked early Saturday. Since May, 13 people have been shot. All survived. Police say there is a link.

CNN's Kareen Wynter live from Phoenix with more -- Kareen.

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, good morning.

Well, one link is that it's the random nature of these crime sprees that's really sparking so much fear in this community.

We're actually in the neighborhood of some of the most recent shootings that took place over the weekend. Two people shot in the head, as well as in the back.

Now, police also say that they may have not one, not two, but three serial shooters on their hands.

Let's start with the latest wave of shootings here. It began in May. Thirteen incidents so far. Police say they have not been able to definitively connect those based on forensic evidence. But they do say they may be linked just because of the nature of how those crimes have been carried out -- people targeted late at night, early in the morning, people who may be out on the streets walking, standing, even riding their bicycles.

Now, in the midst of this investigation, Miles, there are also two separate investigations going on. One dates back from last August, 19 incidents so far. And another one in May, 2005, as well. Twenty-five incidents. We're talking about anything ranging from rapes to assaults, to even robbery here; also, even the torture of animals.

In each of those two investigations we're talking about from last year, Miles, police have managed to link about a handful of homicides. But right now they're still looking for any clues that they may get from the public. They have set up this tip line for anyone out there with information -- 602-261-8600 -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Kareen Wynter in Phoenix, thank you very much.

And we'll speak with a member of the Phoenix Police Department in just a little bit to get you more details on what's going on in that city -- Melissa.

LONG: In Iraq, there is escalating sectarian violence. A car bombing in a Shiite neighborhood of Baghdad today killed five. And police are now investigating militia fighting outside a Sunni mosque today.

Both incidents follow the slaughter of more than 40 unarmed Sunnis in western Baghdad yesterday. The victims were dragged from their homes and killed in the street. The violence was apparently triggered by the bombing of a Sunni mosque Friday. That prompted a Shiite mosque bombing Saturday.

The Pentagon has charged five U.S. soldiers in the rape of an Iraqi teenager and the murder of her and her family. A discharged soldier is charged with rape and murder in a civilian court. But for the Iraqis, this may not be enough.

The prime minister, Nouri Al-Maliki, is demanding now an independent investigation.

CNN's Nic Robertson has more now from Baghdad -- Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Melissa, we've just been learning new details about the soldiers who have been charged here in Iraq. We've learned their names through a press conference given by Major General William Caldwell. He has named the soldiers as Private First Class Spielman, Sergeant Cortez, Specialist Barker, Private First Class Howard and Sergeant Yribe is the sergeant who -- the soldier who has been charged with dereliction of duty.

The others, this is quite a lengthy list of charges that we have now heard. They include conspiracy to commit rape and premeditated murder, conspiracy to obstruct justice, conspiracy to break general orders, rape, murder, arson, house breaking, a long, long list of -- a long, long list of charges. And this is what the Iraqi government will be looking for from the U.S. military here, to conduct its investigation in an open and transparent way so that it can convey to Iraqis that justice will be done, will be seen to be done.

General Caldwell making it clear that these are the charges, that the men are not guilty until proven so.

But that's the very latest from here -- Melissa.

LONG: Nic, any thought to exhuming the young victim's body?

ROBERTSON: Well, the young victim in this case, the question at the moment appears to be -- although there is certainly confusion about how old she is. She has been described as a young woman. The FBI, in their charges against the former specialist, Steven Green, said that she was 25. The Army has put her age down as 20. The Reuters News Agency revered her identity papers, which would indicate she would have been 14 at the time she was killed. The mayor of Mahmudiyah, where this incident took place, also says he believes the girl, the young woman, would have been 14.

And, of course, that is the point here -- was she a girl of 14 or was she a young woman of 20 or 25? And it does appear that exhuming the body would be one of the scientific ways available for the investigation team to determine how old she was. And under Islamic law there does seem to be provision for that sort of -- for an exhumation to happen -- Melissa.

LONG: Nic Robertson live from Baghdad this morning.

Nic, thank you.

The U.S. Marine killings at Haditha have prompted calls to hold officers up the chain of command accountable.

A Pentagon report says senior leaders did not sufficiently of adequately investigate the killings of 24 civilians last November. U.S. Marines are suspected of killing them in revenge for the death of a fellow Marine. A Defense Department official saying now commanders recommend more review of the chain of command and that could lead to reprimands or even charges against senior officers.

O'BRIEN: A Security Watch now.

More now on that plot to blow up a tunnel connecting New York and New Jersey.

Authorities searching the alleged mastermind's computer in Lebanon say they found bombing plans, maps of the Hudson River tunnels. Two other men in custody.

Be sure to stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

The United Nations Security Council prepared to consider a resolution today calling for sanctions against North Korea. That for last week's fury -- flurry, I should say, of missile testing by Pyongyang. There's also a flurry of diplomatic activity. All this being closely watched by the Bush administration.

CNN's Kathleen Koch at the White House with more -- good morning, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles.

And, yes, the administration's diplomatic machine has been in high gear over the last several days. That, as North Korea has issued a threat to anyone objecting to its missile tests. Last week, in an article in a Melbourne newspaper, North Korea's ambassador to Australia called them "routine military exercises" and warned that North Korea would have no option but to take "stronger physical actions of other forms should any country take issue with the exercises."

And, of course, plenty of countries do. Among them Japan. It is, right now, hoping to get a timetable set in the United Nations today for a vote on its resolutions that would impose sanctions on North Korea for those missile firings.

The United States, France and Great Britain support the sanctions, though Russia and China do not.

The U.S. envoy, Christopher Hill, has been making the rounds of East Asian capitals for the last several days, trying to rally support for a united response. But right now U.S. officials admit that they have no firm commitment from Russia or from China.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM CNN'S "LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER)

NICHOLAS BURNS, UNDER SECRETARY POLITICAL AFFAIRS: I don't think we've heard -- we have the last word from either of those two governments. They're trying to work through this problem. And they understand that as two members of the six-party framework, they have a responsibility to use their influence with North Korea and to convince the North Koreans to cease and desist from the missile tests and to come back to the negotiations that we all think are the right way to move. And so we're counting on Russia and China to use that influence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOCH: Now, despite President Bush's continuing refusal to engage in one-on-one direct talks with North Korea, there's increasing pressure from some Democrats to do just that. They are pointing out that the administration's current policy of isolation of North Korea has only permitted it to strengthen its nuclear capabilities -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: Kathleen Koch at the White House.

Thank you very much -- Melissa.

LONG: A deadly plane crash overnight in Pakistan. All 45 passengers and crew are dead. The Pakistan International Airlines plane crashed just a couple of minutes after taking off from Multan Airport in eastern Pakistan. The cause is under investigation, but airline officials have already ruled out any acts of terrorism.

Russian investigators say faulty brakes may be to blame for the weekend plane crash in Siberia. An airliner veered off the runway, killing 124 people, injuring dozens of others.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Ryan Chilcote in Irkutsk, Russia, where a Siberian airliner crashed over the weekend.

What you see behind me is a row of garages. And at the end of that row of garages, an Airbus A310, or at least what remains of an Airbus A310. That Airbus had just landed on a runway at the airport about 300 yards to my left. It immediately veered off that runway upon landing and at nearly full throttle crashed through a cement barricade until it hit these garages behind me, bursting into flames.

Officials say that miraculously, just over 70 people survived that crash. Well, they say the death toll now stands at 124. They say, however, that that death toll still could rise. There still are search teams going through the wreckage.

LONG: That was CNN's Ryan Chilcote reporting from the scene in Irkutsk.

Let's take a moment to check on the forecast for today and look ahead to the week.

And you've been focusing on the precipitation up in the Buffalo- Rochester region.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, absolutely. And there's going to be more today.

(WEATHER REPORT)

O'BRIEN: Hey, Chad?

MYERS: Yes?

O'BRIEN: How come we haven't had more hurricanes, more named storms?

MYERS: You know, it just hasn't worked out where these waves that come off Africa, these little easterly waves, have worked into warm enough water. And if it did -- a couple of them did get close, but then cold fronts came by and kind of shoved them out of the way. There was too much shear so far.

That's good news, I guess.

LONG: thank goodness for the cold fronts, yes. O'BRIEN: You know, you just did a surfer thing when you talked about the shear. That's kind of weird, dude.

Did you see that?

MYERS: But...

O'BRIEN: He said too much shear, dude. Well, we're glad. We're glad there was shear.

MYERS: Yes, but that's a bad thing...

O'BRIEN: Oh.

MYERS: ... that we haven't had them because now the water is staying warmer. You like to get little ones. I'd love to have 40 tropical storms rather than two category five hurricanes.

O'BRIEN: Oh.

LONG: I didn't realize.

O'BRIEN: So it's building up?

MYERS: Right.

Yes.

O'BRIEN: It's like a pressure cooker building up?

MYERS: Yes.

O'BRIEN: All right, thank you, Chad, for that foreboding note.

MYERS: You're welcome.

O'BRIEN: We will tell you it's never too late to get your home ready for a big storm. We'll give you some tips on finding the big problem areas in your home and how to protect yourself.

LONG: Rescuers saved a teenaged boy swept away by raging floodwaters. We will meet the heroes who yanked him to safety and find out just how close they were to losing him.

O'BRIEN: And trouble times three for police in Phoenix. Investigators looking at no less than three serial criminals on the loose. We'll talk to an investigator ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: Police in Phoenix are trying to piece together a series of 13 shootings. The latest victims a man and a woman who were attacked early on Saturday.

Could this be the work of one serial criminal?

Sergeant Andy Hill of the Phoenix Police Department is joining us this morning with more.

Good morning, Sergeant Hill.

We appreciate your time.

SGT. ANDY HILL, PHOENIX POLICE DEPARTMENT: Good morning, Melissa.

LONG: Let's talk about the two shootings over the weekend, first and foremost.

Any leads with those shootings?

HILL: You know, we really don't have any leads and that's one of the reasons we've gone out to the public with the information, asking them to call us for suspicious activity or if they know anything to call Silent Witness.

LONG: You're not only investigating the two shootings which are tied into possibly 11 others shootings, but there are two other succinct investigations going on at the same time.

Kind of sort through that for me and for our viewers, how you're juggling all of that?

HILL: Well, it's not easy. But clearly for us, we have a serial killer that the media has dubbed the Baseline Rapist. It began last August. We have 19 crimes that we're looking at that may be related.

However, of those 19, we have five homicides that we have definitively connected through forensic evidence. And we have a description of that suspect.

A second series of shootings began last May, where we have about 25 incidents that we have put out to the public that may be related, where people and animals have been shot and killed. And of those 25 incidents, only four have been definitively connected.

Now we have this third series that we put out. We don't have any suspect information, but we do have some evidence that indicates to us that these 13 may very well be related. And, again, we've gone to the public with the information that we do have and can put out in hopes of getting calls from them to help us solve them.

LONG: Considering all of this work, the three separate investigations, is your department taxed?

HILL: You know, we're not -- we're taxed but we're able to handle it. We have over 3,000 officers, over 4,000 employees. Our chief of investigations has redoubled manpower from several units within his division so that we do have plenty of personnel available and are working very hard on this case and the other cases, as well.

LONG: For what I will call case number three, the one that links to the two shootings over the weekend, what can you tell us about the shootings? Are they random? Does the shooter seem to have a connection to those who are victims?

HILL: You know, that's a good question, Melissa. Of all of these three series, the thing about them all is that all the victims have been random. And this last series that you asked me about, the victims are random. They are people that are alone, walking by themselves, standing, riding a bicycle, pushing a bicycle in the late hours of the night, between 10 at night and 3:00 in the morning.

We believe that the suspect or suspects who may be involved in these shootings are driving in a car and shooting the victims from a vehicle.

LONG: Well, that's terrifying for anybody living in the community.

So what can they do to be proactive and vigilant?

HILL: You know, and it is all about empowerment, Melissa. Information is really the thing we're putting out to the public.

What can you do to be safe?

Well, try to avoid those areas. But be cautious. If you see something suspicious, call 911. You know, that's the thing -- we're convinced that somebody out there has seen something and has information that could help us.

And the other thing is that somebody out there also probably knows who the suspect or suspects may be. And that's why we put up that Silent Witness number and asked them to please call us if you have information and let us check it out.

LONG: And you said stay away from those areas. For those not familiar with the Phoenix area, the Baseline Rapist, that title is because of the area, known in your community, known as Baseline.

HILL: Well, the media dubbed him that and that's where it began, in a particular area, on Baseline Road.

But since that time, the last incidents, particularly the last -- this past year -- have moved over to an east-central area of Phoenix. And that's been the area that those incidents have occurred in.

So we are encouraging the public everywhere to be vigilant and cautious and, of course, we do want people to call us if they have any information.

LONG: All right, again, that number is 602-261-8600. And, again, it is a Silent Witness tip line.

Sergeant Andy Hill, thank you so much for your time, from the Phoenix Police Department this morning. And best of luck with your three ongoing investigations.

HILL: Thank you, Melissa.

LONG: Miles.

O'BRIEN: Coming up on the program, helpful tips if you're looking to storm proof your home. We'll tell you how to find the big problem spots.

And later, troubled kids and troubled dogs helping each other get a second chance at life. A heartwarming tale, after we pause.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: We're now into the second month of hurricane season. So far, only one named storm in the Atlantic. Don't start getting happy about that, though. As Chad just mentioned, that could be bad news. No relief on the pressure cooker, so to speak.

So you've got to get ready.

All this week, CNN house mate, "OPEN HOUSE" host Gerri Willis, will show us the necessary steps to prepare and protect your home.

Today we're talking about repairing problem areas.

Help us with that.

GERRI WILLIS, PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: That's right.

Hi there, Miles.

Good to see you.

You know, your house might look like it's in perfect condition, but no matter how good it appears to be, it's critical you take the necessary steps before a major storm hits your area.

We wanted to show you exactly what you need to do to avoid paying the price down the road.

Rob Davis of flash.org took us in and around a typical home to point out problem areas and tell us how to fix them.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

WILLIS (voice-over): Storm season means it's prime time to take steps toward protecting your home. And it all starts at the top.

(on camera): So, Rob, let's talk about the roof here. A big vulnerability.

How do I know if I might have a problem?

ROB DAVIS, FLASH.ORG: Well, there's several things you can do. If you can safely access the inside of your attic, go up there and look for any broken wood, any cracked wood. If you can get up on the roof, check for missing, broken or loose shingles or tiles. It's the hip and the ridge tiles that you can see and that -- those had the most problems during Hurricane Charlie.

WILLIS (voice-over): One of the best things you can do, remove any projectiles from your yard before a large storm.

(on camera): You've got a lot of stuff sitting out here that you'd want to bring in, in a storm.

What would you do here?

DAVIS: Just go out with your family and walk around the house. And anything that you possibly think might fly up in the air, go and pick it up and put it inside.

WILLIS (voice-over): But it's not just the outside you have to worry about.

DAVIS: Well, the inside definitely needs to be inspected, as well. And you want to make sure it's in top shape for hurricane season or any extreme weather coming through.

If you have safe access to the attic, it's good to get up there and just look around. See if you see any broken or cracked pieces of wood up there. Look at the nails. See if you have any nails sticking out, stray nails. And we're talking about the longer nails here, not the shorter roofing nails.

See if you have any roof leaks. If you have any roof leaks, that's definitely something that says your roof isn't as strong as it should be.

WILLIS: And while you're up there, check those soffits. They can provide leverage for high winds and rain, and cause many problems for your home.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

WILLIS: Now, it's amazing that something as small as a soffit can cause such a big problem. Rob told me that people would return home after a hurricane having shored up everything but the soffit and found their home completely flooded.

O'BRIEN: Wow!

So that's a real weak point, then, the soffits are.

WILLIS: It is a real weak point.

O'BRIEN: Interesting. I never would have thought of that.

What about tomorrow? What you got?

WILLIS: Well, tomorrow we've got all kinds of fun-coming up. It's all about windows -- how to protect them from severe storms. It's important information and you can fix it without paying that much money. But if you don't, it could cost you upwards of $10,000 in damages to your home -- Miles. O'BRIEN: All right, so get to it, folks. Just because there's only been one named storm, or two, that doesn't...

WILLIS: More could be no the way.

O'BRIEN: Absolutely.

Thank you very much, Gerri.

We'll see you tomorrow.

WILLIS: See you tomorrow.

LONG: And coming up this morning, some scary moments for a teenager swept down a flooded drainage channel. We're going to meet the men who saved his life in this dramatic rescue.

Plus this...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you can take care of something else then, you know, you should be able to take care of yourself, too.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: Some troubled teens learning a lesson in canine caring, giving themselves and some dogs a second chance at life.

You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back to the program.

I'm Miles O'Brien.

LONG: Good morning.

I'm Melissa Long in today for Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Let's get a check of the headlines.

Brianna Keilar in for Carol Costello today -- hello, Brianna.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Miles and Melissa.

Good to see you.

And good morning, everyone.

Now in the news, Israel pounding targets in Gaza. Palestinian security sources telling CNN two people were killed in an air strike earlier today. The strike is part of Israel's incursion into Gaza in search of an Israeli soldier kidnapped June 25th. The Hamas political leader says no information about the soldier will be released unless Israel agrees to release its prisoners.

Closing arguments began today in the trial of Saddam Hussein. The defense gave its arguments and Hussein and his co-defendants were not in court to hear them. The lawyer says they will stay away until there's better security in place.

And jury selection begins in Florida today in the trial of John Couey. Last month, a judge threw out Couey's confession. But prosecutors claim they still have enough evidence to convict. Couey is accused of kidnapping, raping and killing 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford last March. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

Charges being filed this morning against a Southwest Airlines pilot who allegedly showed up to work drunk. Carl Fulton was arrested after TSA screeners smelled alcohol as he passed through a checkpoint. Fulton has been placed on leave until the investigation is complete. And if convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

The former chief of Goldman Sachs, Henry Paulson, takes the oath of office today to become the next Treasury secretary. As you may recall, Paulson was approved last month, but the oath taking was delayed so Paulson could sell some $500 million worth of company stock.

And the celebration is still going on in Rome. Italy beat France 5-3 in penalty kicks yesterday, winning its fourth World Cup. But a very different mood in France. The French team arriving at the airport in Paris just moments ago. And Captain Zinedine Zidane with the team. He scored the opening goal, but then was red carded for that now infamous head butt, probably not the way he wanted his career to be remembered -- Miles, we go back to you now.

O'BRIEN: All right.

I wouldn't want that either.

Thank you very much, Brianna.

Five soldiers now charged in the Pentagon investigation into the rape and murder allegations in Mahmudiyah, Iraq. A sixth former soldier faces civilian charges.

It's just one of a string of allegations of atrocities by U.S. soldiers and Marines in Iraq over recent months.

Retired U.S. Army Colonel Jeffrey McCausland, a CBS Radio analyst, is on loan to us this morning.

We appreciate that.

He's a 30 year Army veteran who has taught core values, military values, to soldiers over the years.

Let's run-through the list here just briefly so we can get people up to date, because I think people are losing track, there's so many incidents. Starting with Haditha, the one we've talked an awful lot about. November 2005, two dozen civilians killed. The allegation there is that Marines fired at civilians in retaliation for a roadside bomb killing a U.S. Marine there.

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